So first as Tech’s coach and now as an ESPN analyst, Greenberg has admired Tony Bennett’s withering defense and deliberate pace at Virginia.

Never more than this season. The Cavaliers (22-1, 11-0 ACC) are ranked second in both major polls, lead Division I in defensive efficiency and are far better on offense than many realize.

Those are among the reasons Greenberg and his College GameDay teammates are taking their weekly roadshow to Charlottesville for Saturday’s Tech-U.Va. clash.

“They understand who they are and how they win,” Greenberg said Monday of the Cavaliers. “I appreciate that they recruit into their system. I appreciate their buy-in and the trust they have and that they are committed to their non-negotiables and core beliefs and don’t waver.”

That overarching endorsement does not overlook Virginia’s talent. Quite the contrary.

“People don’t understand,” Greenberg said, “how good their players are. … They really can play offense. Here’s the thing: They don’t play offense the way we’re used to watching offense. … Everyone gets to thinking we have to play a cookie-cutter game, that we all have to look alike and that we have to look like the NBA and everyone’s gotta run ball screens.

“No. … Why can’t we just have our own game? And therefore there’s some diversity within our game. That’s what makes the game interesting. … There’s a beauty to passing and cutting and waiting on screens and curling (off) screens and throwing pocket passes. And it also takes talent. Being strong with the basketball. A simple play like Ty Jerome’s ball fake the other day to freeze the defender and free himself up for that 3 against Louisville. That was such a good basketball play.”

Among Virginia’s best performances this season was a 78-52 demolition of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. But the Hokies (16-7, 5-5) have clawed back from an 0-2 ACC start and reside, as did many of Greenberg’s squads, on the NCAA tournament bubble.

In or out? The consensus on Tech figures to change several times before Selection Sunday, March 11.

Dismissed in April 2012, Greenberg remains the last Hokies coach to win at Virginia’s John Paul Jones Arena, that in the last of his nine seasons with Tech. The year prior, GameDay visited Blacksburg, and the Hokies responded with an upset of No. 1 Duke.

Tech’s tournament fate this season hinges on whether it can rebound and defend well enough to complement its superb shooting. Greenberg compares Hokies point guard Justin Robinson’s attacking approach to Dowdell’s and applauds how Buzz Williams coaches offense.

“They play to their strengths,” Greenberg said. “They play off spacing. Obviously utilize the 3-point shot. When they can do that and spread you out, they’re good. … If Virginia’s late on closeouts, it could be a heck of a game.”

Both teams have stern tests Wednesday, Virginia at Florida State (17-6, 6-5), Tech at home versus North Carolina State (16-7, 6-4). The Seminoles and Wolfpack are among the ACC’s most efficient and fastest-paced offenses.

As the Wolfpack discovered at JPJ last month, the Cavaliers are built for such challenges, but among Virginia’s seven remaining ACC games, Wednesday’s in Tallahassee is the most likely setback.

“Virginia gets a good shot,” Greenberg said. “You don’t. Virginia doesn’t turn it over. You do. Virginia actually gets out in transition off your turnovers. You don’t get out in transition off their turnovers. What’s wrong with that? It’s called winning basketball, and not everyone wins the same way. …

“Oh, and by the way, they’re developing NBA players.”

Malcolm Brogdon, Justin Anderson and Joe Harris. All were part of the 2014 Virginia team that won the ACC tournament and reached the Sweet 16. Brogdon headlined the Cavaliers’ 2016 Elite Eight squad.

Greenberg refutes the familiar-but-foolish notion that Virginia’s approach precludes a Final Four or better.

“Do you want to be a team that’s hard to play against?” Greenberg said. “That’s the whole goal. When you coach, you want to be a team that people say when they’re about to play you, ‘Man, I don’t want to play against that team.’ Who wants to play against Virginia? …

“Look, there’s a little bit smaller margin of error because there’s fewer possessions. But can (their style) translate to March? Oh, no doubt about it.”

Teel can be reached by phone at 757-247-4636 or by email at dteel@dailypress.com. For more from Teel, read his blog at dailypress.com/teeltime and follow him at twitter.com/DavidTeelatDP.